Could Neurofeedback be Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders?

Currently the only FDA-approved biofeedback/neurofeedback equipment use is for “relaxation,” however, some scientists, therapists, and parents say neurofeedback has been helpful to children with autism. The National Institute of Mental Health will announce the results of its first study of neurofeedback for ADHD on October 26, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

The study director said that parents and teachers of the 36 children in the study reported improved behavior. While most insurance companies do not cover the controversial treatment, the Magagnos of Lynbrook, N.Y., found that their insurance company did. Their son, who was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, was treated by Dr. Norman Doidge, a psychiatrist at the Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research at Columbia. Dr. Doidge discovered the child had suffered tiny, asymptomatic seizures, and through neurofeedback “stabilized the child’s brain activity” and eliminated the seizures. The parents report their son has improved skills. Many scientists and doctors caution parents to be careful when approaching this therapy method for their children until more testing has been done.